United move for Ander Herrera, De Rossi; Lamela to Spurs

Athletic Bilbao have rejected a €30 million bid from Manchester United for former Spain Under-21 international midfielder Ander Herrera, The Mirrorunderstands.

Herrera, who has previously been linked with big-money moves to FC Barcelona and Manchester City, is believed to be on United’s transfer shortlist, which has seemingly gotten longer (and longer) by the week.

The former Spain youth international, 24, has a €36 million buy-out clause in his current contract, which expires in the summer of 2016.

Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has made it clear the club are unwilling to allow Herrera to leave for any figure less than his release clause, meaning United will have to increase their bid by €6 million or move on and pursue other targets.

“We have had an offer for Ander Herrera,” revealed club president Josu Urrutia.

“Our club is different, it is based on sentiment. Our objective isn’t to make money.

“We received the offer last night and have communicated that we will not negotiate for our players.

“For a player to go, first the player must express his desire to leave the club and pay the release clause.”

Since arriving in Bilbao in 2011, Herrera has scored six goals in 91 appearances in all competitions for Los Leones.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have submitted a €12 million bid for A.S. Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The English champions also remain keen on Everton duo Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, with reports suggesting the Toffees turned down an improved £36 million offer for the pair on Thursday.

Lamela to Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of Argentina international winger Erik Lamela from A.S. Roma for an undisclosed fee, according to the club’s official website, www.tottenhamhotspur.com.

Lamela, 21, will join the likes of Étienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Vlad Chiricheș at White Hart Lane, with Gareth Bale expected to leave North London for Real Madrid in the coming days.

In addition, Spurs are also set to land highly-rated Denmark international midfielder Christian Eriksen from Ajax.

“The only thing missing is the signature. The transfer of Eriksen to Tottenham is as good as final,” said Ajax boss Frank de Boer.

All of a sudden, Spurs — without Gareth Bale — are looking like the best team in North London.

Andre Villas-Boas has brought in midfield enforcers Capoue and Paulinho, a top-class striker in Soldado, wingers Chadli and now Lamela, but he has added a defensive wall in Chiricheș, who could prove to be the best signing of the lot.

The Portuguese has strengthened the squad in every possible way, which is ultimately why the power balance in North London in shifting from the Emirates to White Hart Lane.

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